Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

May PJ et al. 1996. Environmental Management and Governance. Routledge. pp xvii + 254. ISBN 0 415 14446 9.

Now that the ideas of sustainability have become part of the language of development so the debate moves on to other aspects. This text recognises the crucial part played by politics (in its widest sense) and policies in producing a sustainable perspective. The authors start from the idea that the policy continuum stretches from "coercion" to "cooperation". From this, the next stage is to define the parameters of each approach. A series of selected case studies permits closer study of the approaches in operation. Once the effectiveness (or otherwise) of the policies has been evaluated it is possible to comment on the more suitable approach. By using cases from the USA (Florida), Australia and New Zealand the authors put forward their case. In addition, they attempt to quantify responses by use of a scaling technique.

Although put forward as an exploration rather than explanation this text nevertheless has much to recommend it. Sooner, rather than later, we are going to need to evaluate and compare, differing approaches to environmental management. This is a fine starting point.